Barycz Valley Landscape Park

is a Landscape Park located close to Wrocław, south-western part of Poland mostly in Lower Silesia . It has 870,4 square kilometres and it is covered by forests, lakes full of fish and flood-meadow. It was established on 3.06.1996. This Park is famous for its big number of fish ponds located near Milicz and Żmigród, which are called Milicz Ponds. Experts say that there are about 300 ponds, which is the biggest collection of fish ponds in Europe. It is also one of the most valuable ecosystems in Poland and Europe. The area of Barycz Valley contains Wydymacz, Radziądz, Olsztyny Niezgodzkie, Milicz Lakes, and Joanna Hill Nature reserves.

The beauty of Barycz Valley

Barycz Valley is one of the most beautiful natural areas of Poland. This ecosystem is dominated by big lakes surrounded by temperate broad-leaf forests.  The diversity of plants and animals can be encountered in this region. Here you can see some protected plants. For example:

         ·        Yellow and White water lily

·         common hedgenettle 

·        common reed

·        Ivy

 

·        Mezereon

 

BIRDS

 ·        wild geese

·        cormorants

·        mute, black, and white swans  

 

     

     

·       great egrets

                          

·        white and black stork

 

·        European penduline tit

 

·        black-headed gull

·        white-tailed eagle

   

·        common buzzard

       

·        northern lapwing

      

Bird which live in this region are a big attraction for ornithologists, birdwatchers and tourists. This is why Barycz Valley is often called The Bird Paradise.

Tourism

Barycz Valley is extremely attractive for tourists. Each year it is visited by thousands of people from all over Europe. The various wildlife and beauty of Barycz forests is not the only attraction. In Milicz, tourists can visit magnificent ruins of medieval castle, churches, beautiful wooden houses and characteristic rural cottages. Tourists can also try delicious local cuisine especially carp and other types of fish. In the past Milicz was one of the biggest producers of carp in Europe so it is a perfect place for fish connoisseurs.

Małgorzata Bednarczyk